When it comes to directors with a varied filmography, Alfonso Cuaron's work certainly fits the bill. From powerful Spanish-language indie dramas, to big budget franchise adaptations, to dystopian sci-fi and back, Cuaron's work has run the full spectrum. The great director has established himself as one of our most critically acclaimed filmmakers and one who continues to create imaginative, original, and emotional stories that resonate with audiences.

Though his first film, Solo Con Tu Pareja is a dark comedy masterpiece, Cuaron first came onto audience's radars with his family-friendly American films A Little Princess and Great Expectations, but it took his return to Mexico in 2000 to film the international hit Y Tu Mama Tambien for him to become a true powerhouse director. From there, Alfonso Cuaron progressed to bigger budget fare while still retaining his psychological and character-driven style while developing his visual flair.

Cuaron's most recent movie, Roma, may have earned him lots of awards and critical attention, but his other films are equally impactful and worthy of recognition, and his upcoming series Disclaimer on Apple TV+ looks like it will be fantastic. The Mexican writer/director is one of only four people to have been nominated for an Academy Award in six different categories, which is why we're delving into the very best of his filmography and exploring one of the most diverse bodies of work in contemporary modern cinema.

5 Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban

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Very few filmmakers can handle a big-budget adaptation of a beloved franchise while still retaining their own style. However, Alfosno Cuaron managed to do just that with his entry in the Harry Potter franchise. Adapting the third novel in the series, Cuaron adds a darker yet more playful aesthetic here and focuses on the personal developments between Harry, Ron and Hermione as well. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban also benefits from Cuaron's sense of pacing, action, and character, all of which makes it one of the most engaging and mature installments within the series. While some filmmakers would attempt to play it safe with the source material, Cuaron instills his own personal energy here and in the process gets strong performances from his young cast and veteran performers such as Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, and Timothy Spall.

Prisoner of Azkaban is widely considered one of the best entries in the Harry Potter film franchise, and Cuaron garnered praise for his handling of the source material and his cinematic approach. With it, Cuaron proved that he could handle Hollywood properties with ease, something which led to him being able to create some of his later masterpieces. Overall, Prisoner of Azkaban is both a satisfying adaptation and an equally strong stepping stone for Cuaron's filmography.

Related: Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Trailer Brings the Magic

4 Y Tu Mama Tambien

Y Tu Mama Tambien
IFC Films

Before he branched out into epic science-fiction filmmaking and Hollywood films, Cuaron cut his teeth with the witty, vibrant, and surprisingly thoughtful coming-of-age film Y Tu Mama Tambien. The movie, which stars Diego Luna and Gal Garcia Bernal as two teenagers who take a road trip with a slightly older woman, is a strong indicator of Cuaron's knack for personal storytelling. The film is well-rounded in how it serves as both a road movie and coming-of-age comedy, but also explores sexuality, friendship, and Mexican society in a thoughtful yet candid manner. Cuaron's storytelling and filmmaking established a distinct voice here and helped launch the careers of Luna and Bernal as well. Y Tu Mama Tambien proved early on that Cuaron was a filmmaker unafraid to tell personal and original stories, and the film has gone on to earn critical acclaim and recognition, and is also considered one of the most influential films for Mexican cinema this century.

3 Children Of Men

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Sourced via Universal Pictures

After making a name for himself with his well-received adaptation of The Prisoner of Azkaban, Cuaron pivoted to the dystopian sci-fi masterpiece, Children of Men. The film is based off a short story by P.D. James and takes place in a futuristic society where fertility has caused societal collapse, and Clive Owen's character Theo Faron must escort a surprisingly (and revolutionarily) pregnant refugee to safety. The film offers a visceral commentary on government control while also offering up an inspiring and exciting story of redemption and hope. Cuaron's visuals and set pieces are explosive and ambitious but also have a strong grasp on the character beats as well. Children of Men, despite its grim atmosphere and concept, manages to be a deeply heartfelt tale, and the performances by Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Michael Caine add tremendous resonance. Children of Men established itself as a sleeper hit, gaining critical acclaim and recognition upon release. Since then, the film has been considered an influential piece of modern sci-fi and a strong showcase for Cuaron's talents as a filmmaker that helped establish him as a bankable talent.

Related: Gravity Becomes Third Movie to Cross $100 Million in IMAX Theaters

2 Gravity

Gravity Gets IMAX 3D Re-Release in Theaters January 31st

Once again venturing into the realm of sci-fi, Gravity follows two astronauts played by George Clooney and Sandra Bullock who find themselves stranded in the middle of outer space on an otherwise routine mission. Gravity is a film that prides itself on being a visual experience, with the great Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography highlighting the vastness of space. Cuaron's set pieces are tremendously suspenseful, and Bullock delivers a committed performance throughout it all. As usual, Curaon manages to also incorporate beautiful existential themes alongside the spectacle of Gravity, allowing it to feel deeply personal and touching. Cuaron is a filmmaker who utilizes his plots in order to explore the human condition, and Gravity manages to do so with artistry and imagination. Cuaron's storytelling elevates Gravity past sci-fi conventions to a unique cinematic experience, and possibly the all-time greatest use of 3-D filmmaking in history.

1 Roma

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Netflix

While Cuaron is no stranger to making personal films, with Roma, he truly hit a stride as a storyteller and filmmaker. Roma, filmed in breathtakingly gorgeous black and white, is a semi-autobiographical story of a housekeeper and her family and their experiences in Mexico City during the 1970s. Roma's visual storytelling truly encapsulates a sense of time and place, and Cuaron's direction avoids typical drama and sentimentality in favor of naturalism and character. The performances feel authentic and organic as well, and there are many intimate, poignant, and poetic moments throughout. Cuaron also seamlessly balances each character's arc and allows them all to feel fully formed in the process. Roma manages to succeed as a both a love letter to his culture and a powerful portrait of human nature.

Roma, director Alfonso Cuaron's surprise Oscar hit, received universal praise along with several other awards nominations, and is considered by many to be his finest film. Roma is proof that Cuaron is a first-class filmmaker among the greatest living directors today, and his upcoming projects are sure to be eagerly anticipated.